End of Zippster?

For a while now I've been thinking of getting out of the 'making crafts for profit' business, because quite honestly, it was only ever meant to be a hobby with a very small chance of making a profit. Which I don't. After purchasing supplies, making prototypes, photography and creating listings, paying for the listings, and fees for sales I'm lucky if I break even. And that's not counting my time. I have a pretty busy and fulfilling life, and any sewing I do is to sell and I don't seem to have the time to enjoy sewing for myself, and that's what I'd rather be doing.

So, I'm selling most of my purse making supplies. 

I still have some items for sale at Artisans at Work but won't be restocking. And I'm not quite sure yet to do with my Etsy shop - most of what I sell there is buttons, anything larger and the high cost of shipping is a deterrent.

I have some new fabric and patterns picked out for new projects, which I'm looking forward to working on - it's been a while since I've made something for myself!

Winter Project: Basement Cleanup and Reorganization

Over the past 4.5 years I've been in my wee little house, I've slowly been fixing it up. One of the first things I did was finish the basement; a good half of it became my craft room. The other part became a bit of a dumping ground of stuff. One of my winter projects is to go through the stuff and reduce the volume of stuff with the goal of creating a more usable space at the other end of the craft room, potentially as an exercise area. I workout at a gym 2-3 times a week but I would like to do more yoga and core exercise at home. I've been doing this upstairs but it means moving furniture out of the way.

Because I don't have a driveway or front yard, some sort of yard or garage sale isn't really an option, so I've been donating and listing some stuff for sale. Once all the extra stuff is gone, I'll need to look at better storage options for the stuff I would like to keep in the basement. For one person, I really don't need so much stuff and I've been evaluating the stuff I do have and thinking about the relationship I have with my stuff. I'm hoping the end result of this process will be a space I'll look forward to using more.

New Dress: Chloe (Victory Patterns)

I love this dress (and not just because it has pockets)! The pattern is Chloe, from Victory Patterns. This is the first time I've sewn one of their patterns and I found it fairly easy to make and it turned out great. It took me a while do to the pockets because I've never done them before, but I just trusted the instructions and they worked! Overall though I find them a bit too bulky on the inside so I would probably make them smaller next time.

So this is what I've been up to...

I've had some people ask me about my physical health routine, so I thought I would share what has been working for me. It's taken two years, but I've gone down six sizes and have lost, and have kept off, 50lbs. I have met and exceeded my original weight loss goal and am now focusing on improving my strength and endurance.

Hint: Dieting on its own doesn't work. Exercise on its own doesn't work. Everyone is different and sometimes you just have to work with what you've got, because genetics suck sometimes.

Food:
Take a good look at what you're eating. I thought my diet was ok until I met with a nutritionist. If your health plan covers it or if you can afford it, I highly recommend seeing a nutritionist or a naturopathic doctor who specializes in nutrition, even if just for one or two visits. The one I saw provided me with recipes, recommendations for supplements, exercise suggestions, and meal planning tips. (Tip: keep a food diary for a week – it's much easier to see where changes can be made if it's laid out right in front of you.)

I'm gluten-free due to having celiac's disease, so the first thing I eliminated from my diet was food made to be gluten-free: GF pizza, GF cookies, GF bread… it's full of carbs and sugars, and often lots of other weird stuff to make it taste good. And it's expensive. Gone.

I eat as clean as possible, following a high protein, low carb and low sugar diet. Being mostly vegetarian since a teenager, increasing my protein intake was difficult, but now I eat less because I stay fuller longer and don't get hungry in between meals. I stay away from packaged and prepared sauces and cook most of my food from scratch, relying on herbs and spices to add flavour. (Tip: Read the labels on spice blends – they tend to have a lot of added sugar and salt.)

Here are some typical food stuffs I eat:
Proteins: chicken, turkey, eggs, fish, tofu, almond milk, goat's milk yogurt and goat's milk cheeses, quinoa, protein powder and protein bars (see more on these below)
Beans and legumes (good for protein and fiber): chickpeas, lentils, black beans, soy beans, kidney beans
Fibre: ground flax seed in my smoothie
Lots of veggies – usually raw, steamed or sauteed
Snacks: crackers or raw veggies with hummus, apples with almond butter, almonds, yogurt with some maple syrup and cinnamon and nuts or dried fruit, dark chocolate as a treat

No: white rice, white potatoes, corn products

(Tip: Don't drink your sugars! I don't put fruit (other than half a banana and sometimes blueberries) or fruit juice in my smoothies, and I don't drink fruit juices. And stay away from those fruit on the bottom yogurts.)

Meal planning: Get organized and decide on what you're going to eat during the week. I do a lot of bulk cooking to ensure I have healthy lunches stored in the freezer, ready to go, to avoid having to eat out a lot. I also pre-cook batches of quinoa and chick peas (both of which can be frozen but will last in the fridge for about 5 days) to have on hand to make last-minute salads. I use a lot of ground chicken and sometimes turkey to make meat balls, patties, chili and stirfrys, and use chicken breasts for curries and stews (all of which can be frozen). You can even do this with someone, to reduce the effort or to increase the quantity and variety.

If you're planning on using a gym or having an active physical exercise routine of some sort, consider using a protein powder (whey protein isolate) and protein bars. I resisted using protein powder for a while, thinking that as long as I was eating well, I should haven't to dump a bunch of powder into my smoothie. Wrong. Because it takes me 45 minutes to get to my gym (I usually go in the early morning before work), I drink a protein smoothie before my workout and I eat a Lara bar afterwards. This has helped immensely with maintaining my appetite throughout the day.

If you have any allergies, food sensitivities or restrictions, please carefully read the ingredients for the protein powders and protein bars! There are so many to choose from and it can be overwhelming as to which one to use – some brands have sample packs you can try, or just ask around to see what other people use. I was using Vega Sport but recently switched to Diesel because it's a bit cheaper.

Treats and cheat meals: Don't deny yourself small rewards. I try to eat out only once a week, and allow myself a treat (chocolate, a fancy coffee) at most once a week. I have a sweet tooth and it's taken a lot of discipline but I now no longer get the kind of cravings I used to. Your body will soon learn not to miss sugar.

Exercise and physical activities:
If you're new to using a gym and if you can afford it, I highly recommend hiring a personal trainer for at least 6 months. They will create a plan based on your abilities and goals, and show you how to use the equipment and lift weights properly so you get the most benefit from your workout, and to reduce the risk of injury.

Try not to focus too much on the number on the scale. Measurements are a more accurate reflection of your progress. I do my own check-in once a month (weight and measurements) to see how I'm doing. On average, I've only been losing about 2 lbs a month but have gained a lot of muscle mass (being able to deadlift your own weight = pretty freaking awesome). If your primary goal is weight loss, you can lose more faster, but from what I've learned, gaining muscle mass helps keep the fat off longer, and you'll be more fit and healthy overall in the long run.

My typical week consists of 3-4 visits to the gym: 1-2 medium to high intensity cardio classes (usually Zumba and Step), yoga or pilates, and weights and low cardio. At a minimum, I think it would difficult see any positive changes without going at least twice a week. I'm at the point now where I really enjoy going to the gym so I don't see that time as a burden or a chore. But, I also don't have kids and can afford that kind of time.

I don't have a car, so I do a lot of walking. When the weather is nice I try to get out for walks and bike rides on the weekends. Over the winter I did indoor skating at my local arena. I always take the stairs, not escalators (one of my pet peeves on the TTC: able-bodied people who will wait in a crowd to go up an escalator. Walk. Up. The. Stairs. It's not so bad!). I walk eight flights of stairs to get to the lunch room I use at work.

(Tip: Combine your physical activities with social opportunities – take a yoga class with a friend, go for a walk with a co-worker at lunch, go for a bike ride with your partner.)

Tracking and Accountability: I started using a Fitbit fitness activity tracker about 6 months ago and I love it! For a while, I was also inputting all my food in the website but found it really cumbersome. If you are concerned about your portion sizes, eat out a lot, snack a lot, or are an emotional eater, it may be worthwhile being consistent with entering your food. I found that my caloric intake wasn't too bad, it was my lack of physical activity that needed to improve.

The benefits of an active lifestyle extend beyond physical improvements. I sleep better and my energy is maintained more throughout the day. Being able to run up a flight of stairs or run after the bus without running out of breath feels really good! I have muscles. My confidence and self-esteem has improved. And I'm working towards the prevention of the effects of aging, such as osteoporosis.

New gym

This past March I decided to change gyms, one that had more locations and variety of classes, and a lower membership price. I get bored easily with routine and need a way to stay motivated and challenged. At my old gym I worked with a trainer twice a week for about 6 months, which I found really beneficial, but not wallet friendly. 

As someone with anxiety, it's not easy for me to walk into someplace new and feel comfortable, but I'm trying to challenge this by going to different locations and taking different classes. Finding the gym, locating the change room and the class studio, adjusting to a new instructor or routine, figuring out where the showers are… can all be very stressful for me. There's also the challenge of getting organized at night to ensure I have everything I need for the day, including a healthy lunch and snacks, and getting up when the alarm goes off at 5:30am. I find that going in the morning is easier than after work – the TTC is far less crowded and I'm more likely to go, as sometimes things come up after work. I also find that my energy level is more consistent throughout the day and I sleep much better at night.

In the past 7 weeks, I have managed to visit 6 different locations and take a variety of classes (I love Zumba!). I'm really proud of myself for not letting the anxiety prevent me from doing the things I want to do. Going to the gym 3 times a week has become part of my routine and I'm really happy with how fit and healthy I feel.

New dress which took far too long to make!

I started this dress back in December, and just finished it. Sometimes I can finish a dress in a week-end, but with this winter being so long, dark and cold, I just wasn't feeling creative or motivated. It's a vintage pattern I found on Etsy, from an Australian and New Zealand company called Style.

I had a few problems with making this dress, the first being that it was a Miss pattern and I wasn't sure how the measurements would work out, so I added an inch all around, which turned out to be unnecessary. Also, since I started the dress, I've gone down a size so I had to make more adjustments. It seemed that each time I tried on the dress to see how it was fitting I had to make more adjustments. Also, the contrasting fabric I purchased to use as the sleeves was too heavy and it wasn't draping nicely, so I ended up putting it around the neckline, and somehow it actually lined up.

Overall I'm not very happy with my sewing skills on this dress, it's not my best work. This should have been an easy pattern but because it took me so long to finish I kept losing motivation and focus. I'm relieved it's done, too bad the weather isn't nice enough here for me to wear it yet!

It's finally spring!

This winter was pretty awful for a lot of people, myself included, and I'm slowly trying to fight my way out of hibernation. Getting through the ice storm and power outage, the stress of the holidays, major ongoing stress at work, and a resurgence of TMJ pain and a subsequent neck injury meant that I wasn't feeling very motivated or inspired to do much. I started sewing a dress in December and it's still not finished, much to my frustration. My basement isn't heated so it only gets residual heat from the furnace, and with it being so cold this winter I just didn't feel like being in that space. At the beginning of April I had to deal with raccoons, who made their way into my attic over the winter, meaning I may need to have some repairs done to my attic or roof. 

But, one good that happened recently is that I was treated by a friend to a really nice high tea at Toronto's Windsor Arms Hotel. I was really impressed by the décor and service, and by their gluten-free menu, meaning I was able to enjoy cute tiny sandwiches along with my friend. It made me realize how much I've missed by shutting myself in and that I need to go out more and spend quality time with friends.

Closing of Wise Daughters Craft Market

At the end of March, Wise Daughters Craft Market, in the Junction area of Toronto, closed after 5 years. For 3 years, I had the pleasure of selling my coin purses, glasses cases and magnet sets at this store, and found many wonderful gifts for friends and family. I even took some classes there. I'm sorry to see the store gone, and I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision for the owner. The space has been taken over by LaDeeBee, which will sell yarn and bead supplies and offer workshops. For now, I'm still selling at Jinks Art Factory and Artisans at Work.

New top

It's been a while since I've had the time to make something for myself, but over the Christmas holidays I set out to do just that. Fabric is a light blue cotton gauze, and I used
Butterick's B4684, with some slight modifications with the sleeves.

Closing down one of my Etsy shops

After almost 6 years, I have decided to close my very first Etsy shop, the one I opened to sell clothes and accessories for Blythe dolls. About a year ago I noticed a sharp decline in sales and quite honestly I've lost interest in Blythe dolls as a hobby. I haven't been updating the shop and let the items expire. I'm going to focus on my other shop, Zippster, and retail opportunities.

How I Know I'm An Introvert

Huffington Post recently posted an article on introverts, with a checklist of 23 signs of how to determine if you are one. I know I’m an introvert. I’ve always known it, and will always be one. It’s not that I’m shy, or quiet, it’s that I’m observing (and there’s nothing wrong with that). It’s difficult explaining the difference. And then there’s the extra challenge of mental illness and anxiety disorders.

Here’s the checklist; the italicized text is a summary from the article, and I’ve added my comments underneath. From the checklist, I would say I meet at least 16 of the criteria, with the other 7 as ‘maybes’ or ‘sometimes’:

1. You find small talk incredibly cumbersome.

Introverts are notoriously small talk-phobic, as they find idle chatter to be a source of anxiety, or at least annoyance. For many quiet types, chitchat can feel disingenuous.

Yup. I have no idea how to start a conversation with someone. Especially if that someone is also not good at chit-chat. Awkward, frustrating and exhausting.

2. You go to parties - but not to meet people.

If you're an introvert, you may sometimes enjoy going to parties, but chances are, you're not going because you're excited to meet new people. At a party, most introverts would rather spend time with people they already know and feel comfortable around.

Yup. I enjoy going out but not with the intention of meeting new people. (This may explain why I’m currently single.)

3. You often feel alone in a crowd.

Ever feel like an outsider in the middle of social gatherings and group activities, even with people you know?

Yup. Why is this? Again, it could have something to do with not enjoying chit chat. It’s difficult for me to have engaging conversations at social gatherings and events. And I know sometimes I give off the vibe of not wanting to be approached. Maybe it’s a self-defense mechanism. I’m working on this.

4. Networking makes you feel like a phony.

Networking (small-talk with the end goal of advancing your career) can feel particularly disingenuous for introverts, who crave authenticity in their interactions.

Yup. So stressful! Smaller, more intimate gatherings are far easier. One of the reasons I left a very good job in the academic sector was due to the expectation of professional networking – conventions, conferences, meetings, social events. No thanks. And, I shouldn’t have to ‘sell’ myself to prove my worth as a valuable employee. My work speaks for itself.

5. You've been called "too intense."

Do you have a penchant for philosophical conversations and a love of thought-provoking books and movies? If so, you're a textbook introvert.

Yup. See point 1. I don’t know how to do,  nor enjoy, idle chit chat. I’d rather have more engaging conversations, which at social gatherings, doesn’t seem to be appropriate, practical or desired. So when I do try to have a conversation with someone, sometimes I come off as being too serious. (Or opinionated. Which I am, unapologetically.)

6. You're easily distracted.

While extroverts tend to get bored easily when they don't have enough to do, introverts have the opposite problem - they get easily distracted and overwhelmed in environments with an excess of stimulation.

It’s not that I get distracted, I get overwhelmed in high stimulus environments (hello, anxiety). It makes it difficult to concentrate or enjoy the moment, often resulting in withdrawing (closing off), or having to physically remove myself from the situation.

7. Downtime doesn’t feel unproductive to you.

One of the most fundamental characteristics of introverts is that they need time alone to recharge their batteries. Whereas an extrovert might get bored or antsy spending a day at home alone with tea and a stack of magazines, this sort of down time feels necessary and satisfying to an introvert.

Somewhat true. As much as I need downtime (me time) I get restless easily. It’s sometimes difficult for me to relax and give myself permission to watch a movie, for example. More often than not, although it’s improving thanks to the practice of mindfulness, there’s a constant dialogue going on in my head, a ‘grocery list’ of things I should be doing, of rehashing the past, and rehearsing the future. Rumination. It’s exhausting. I’m working on this, too.

8. Giving a talk in front of 500 people is less stressful than having to mingle with those people afterwards.

Introverts can be excellent leaders and public speakers -- and although they're stereotyped as being the shrinking violet, they don't necessarily shy away from the spotlight.

Yup. Why is this? I’m fine (for the most part) with giving presentations, and when I used to perform as a musician. The nervousness comes afterwards, of facing people and hearing their feedback.

9. When you get on the subway, you sit at the end of the bench - not in the middle.

Whenever possible, introverts tend to avoid being surrounded by people on all sides.

Yup. Again, my anxiety disorders play a part in this, in that I can’t have my back to a door/opening, I prefer facing the door/crowd/group. I feel safer this way.

10. You start to shut down after you’ve been active for too long.

Do you start to get tired and unresponsive after you've been out and about for too long? Everything introverts do in the outside world causes them to expend energy, after which they'll need to go back and replenish their stores in a quiet environment. Short of a quiet place to go, many introverts will resort to zoning out.

Yup. I get cranky. Once I’m done, I’m done, and I need to go. But it’s difficult communicating why you need to go, so I usually come up with an excuse. How do you say to a friend, “I’m sorry, I’ve had enough of you, time for me to go be by myself now!”

11. You're in a relationship with an extrovert.

It's true that opposites attract, and introverts frequently gravitate towards outgoing extroverts who encourage them to have fun and not take themselves too seriously.

Exception: I’m currently not in a relationship, and I tend to gravitate towards other introverts, probably because I can’t keep up with extroverts and find them overwhelming.

12. You'd rather be an expert at one thing than try to do everything.

The dominant brain pathways introverts use is one that allows you to focus and think about things for a while, so they’re geared toward intense study and developing expertise.

This too is probably an exception for me. I crave knowledge and learning new things. I often have several projects on the go and get impatient with myself when trying to learn how to do something new. If I had the time and finances, I would be a constant student.

13. You actively avoid any shows that might involve audience participation.

Because really, is anything more terrifying?

Yeah… no thanks!

14. You screen all your calls -- even from friends.

You may not pick up your phone even from people you like, but you’ll call them back as soon as you’re mentally prepared and have gathered the energy for the conversation.

Yup. Guilty. Sorry!

15. You notice details that others don't.

The upside of being overwhelmed by too much stimuli is that introverts often have a keen eye for detail, noticing things that may escape others around them. Research has found that introverts exhibit increased brain activity when processing visual information, as compared to extroverts.

Yup, although I wouldn’t have indentified this as a trait specific to introverts.

16. You have a constantly running inner monologue.

Most introverts need to think first and talk later.

Yup. See point 7. It’s frustrating, because it means not being able to express myself in the moment and not saying what I need or want to say, which I often later regret. Because of not wanting to have an uncomfortable conversation or an argument, I avoid confrontation at all costs, even it if means not being able to stand up for myself. I’m working on this too.

17. You have low blood pressure.

A 2006 Japanese study found that introverts tend to have lower blood pressure than their

extroverted counterparts.

Huh. I do tend to have lower blood pressure. Interesting.

18. You’ve been called an “old soul” -– since your 20s.

Introverts observe and take in a lot of information, and they think before they speak, leading them to appear wise to others. I think hard, and analytical.

Don’t recall every being called an ‘old soul’, but I’ve often been told I’m wise or mature. Ha!

19. You don't feel "high" from your surroundings.

Neurochemically speaking, things like huge parties just aren’t your thing. Extroverts and introverts differ significantly in how their brains process experiences through "reward" centers.

Another exception: If I’m at event I’m really enjoying, like a concert, or doing something I really enjoy, I do experience euphoria. And I pick up on the energy of others, so if I'm at an event and everyone is really into it and there's a positive vibe, that makes me happy.

20. You look at the big picture.

When describing the way that introverts think, they're more interested in ideas and the big picture rather than facts and details. Of course, many introverts excel in detail-oriented tasks -- but they often have a mind for more abstract concepts as well.

Yup. I’m much better at discussing concepts and theories than relaying facts and figures. I love trivia but am really not very good at it. Give me the answer, and I can start a discussion on it, but not the other way around.

21. You’ve been told to “come out of your shell.”

Many introverted children come to believe that there's something "wrong" with them if they're naturally less outspoken and assertive than their peers. Introverted adults often say that as children, they were told to come out of their shells or participate more in class.

Yes! Stop saying this! I don’t need to come out of my shell, I have no shell to come out of.

22. You’re a writer.

Introverts are often better at communicating in writing than in person, and many are drawn to the solitary, creative profession of writing. Most introverts say that they feel most creatively charged when they have time to be alone with their thoughts.

This is something I’ve been working on, as I feel it would be therapeutic. I’ve tried journaling, but it doesn’t come easy to me.

23. You alternate between phases of work and solitude, and periods of social activity.

Introverts can move around their introverted “set point” which determines how they need to balance solitude with social activity. But when they move too much -- possibly by over-exerting themselves with too much socializing and busyness -- they get stressed and need to come back to themselves. This may manifest as going through periods of heightened social activity, and then balancing it out with a period of inwardness and solitude.

Yup. My social activities, hobbies and interests are cyclic. I’m getting better at balancing the cycles and for the most part I feel my friends recognize that I do go through phases, which I think is pretty common and not necessarily specific to introverts.

New Dress: Butterick B4443

I've been remiss in posting, mostly because of an extended spell of depression, which affected my motivation and creative inspiration. Last week-end I finally sat down to do some sewing for myself, which I hadn't done for a while. I made a dress from Buttericks B4443 pattern:

My fabric was from Lizzy House Constellations. This was a fairly straightforward and quick pattern to make. The only adjustment I made was having to add extra width at the hips for the skirt because of my wide hips, so I created darts at the back so the skirt matched up with the bodice. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

New Store in East York

Last December, my local residents' association in East York partook in an initiative to fill empty storefronts with holiday pop-up shops. The end result being that there has been some rejuvenation in the area, including a new store and arts centre called Artisans at Work. It will be a place for artisans to create, market and sell their works, and also a place for classes, workshops and shows. My Zippster items are available at the store, which will be having a grand opening event soon. Stay tuned for pics and more info!

New writings by me

Previously, I had mentioned that I was expanding the scope of this blog as a way to share my other interests and activities. One of these is to improve my writing skills while also finding an outlet to express my thoughts on feminism and gender equality. In particular, I am interested in the way women are portrayed in the media.

I submitted a pitch for a blog post to the editor at Gender Focus, which eventually resulted in a commentary on Beyonce's Run The World (Girls) video and song.  More recently I wrote a critique on the portrayal of women in TV commercials, specifically household cleaning products. This was a big step for me, and I'm hoping to do more writing soon.

Crafty Supply Sale in the Junction this Saturday

Fellow crafters: I'll be selling at a craft supply sale at Wise Daughters Craft Market, this Saturday, January 12. I'll have lots of fabric and some other craft stuff. Come by if you're looking for some cheap supplies, and visit the store while you're there, which carries hand made goods by local artists (including me!).

Here's the sale info.
(Wise Daughters Craft Market and LadeeBee Supplies present:
New year craft supply trunk sale
Sat, Jan 12, 11:00 – 4:00
3079B Dundas St. W. in the Junction)

Branching Out

I've decided to expand the focus of this blog; originally it had meant to serve as a way to promote and share my sewing. Recently I've become more interested in improving my writing skills as a way to express my opinions on feminism and gender equality, specifically the representation of gender stereotypes in the media. This is something I've been interested in for a while but didn't have the confidence or means to do so.

As a way to get my feet wet and for feedback on my writing, I submitted a post to Gender Focus. This is just a start, I'm hoping to do more writing in the future but I also realize I need to work on my writing skills, which will hopefully improve the more I do.

New features for Etsy sellers

Etsy has recently announced some exciting new features for sellers: Etsy gift cards and Listing Variations, which will allow customers to pick customization options on an item if available, such as colour or size.

Too bad neither feature is available to sellers outside the U.S. Considering 95% of my customers are Americans, I'm eagerly awaiting for these features to be rolled out to international sellers.

Holiday Shopping Deadlines

Yes, it's time to start thinking about Christmas. Canada Post has posted their suggested mailing deadlines for online shopping. Here's a summary, for regular air:
Canada: Dec. 10
USA: Dec. 10
All other regions: Nov. 30

Shop local! New items recently stocked at Wisedaughters and Jinks Art Factory. I also take requests for custom orders.

Abbey Cats Adoptions, the cat rescue agency for which I volunteer, is having a

Black Tie Event

Adopt Black or Black and White or White with Black Kittens!!!

July 30 - August 12, 90.00 for 2 (That's 11.25/Paw)

These sweet, hard to place yet loving kittens are seeking happy homes and families to live out their lives.

Will you save a pair of loving kittens?

Provide all necessities: Food, shelter, comfort and companionship; add love to the mix and you'll have the perfect recipe for 24/7 entertainment and kitty-love.

Costs less than a day at the theme park and the benefits you reap go on for years.

And another benefit... you help us to rescue more cats & kittens

Craft show this week-end

It's been a while since I've participated in a craft show. This coming Saturday (July 21), I'll be at the Toronto Etsy Street Team Handmade Marketplace. This show features sellers from the Toronto Etsy Street Team, of which I am a member. The team works to promote fellow Toronto handmade crafters, artists, craft suppliers and vintage sellers.

See the list of vendors here.